Success for most managers on Football Manager stems from a combination of great transfer business and tactical knowledge.
Many managers focus their transfers around wonderkid hotspots such as Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, alongside the academies of the world’s top clubs.
However, for those looking for a spot with cheaper wonderkids and areas with untapped potential take a look at these five countries and their signature clubs providing the best foundations for regen players, writes Sporting Loft‘s Sam Leasley.
1) Australia
Whilst the league system ‘Down Under’ seems to divide opinion, with the A-League having no relegation, the number of talent you can acquire for a bargain is incredible.
Melbourne City’s links to the City group benefit the level of talent available within the game and the facilities they have access to, with both youth and training facilities sitting at a high 18/20 rating.
Central Coast Mariners also follow closely behind Melbourne with high ranking facilities, attributed to their recent A-League success in recent seasons.
The price tags will also allow even those on a modest budget to indulge in Aussie talent with the average player costing around the £1 million mark.
Notable clubs: Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners
Average price: £500,000 – £2 million
2) Denmark
Danish football has created many superstars in the past and has seen the national team take home European gold as well as reaching the Euros semi finals merely five years ago.
A litany of young players have been huge signings in previous Football Manager games from Scandinavia and Denmark is an underrated goldmine for regens.
FC Nordsjælland are a major club to keep an eye on, with links to both Manchester City and off-continent academies, most notably the RTD academy in Ghana.
The standard of competition in Denmark alongside the potential for regular European qualification gives young players a great opportunity to grow and provides a valuable shopping area for every Football Manager player.
Notable clubs: FC Nordsjælland, FC Midtjylland
Average price: £2.5 million – £6 million
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3) Iceland
For those in a second tier league or in a nation without Premier League level money, Iceland is an incredible bargain find and will give huge potential for profit or player growth.
The Icelandic top flight is a fully semi-professional league but does not lack in top facilities or top youth recruitment.
Breiðablik and Stjarnan both hold high ranking facilities, hitting 15/20 for both youth and training.
Due to the country’s small reputation and lack of consistent European football, bargain wonderkids can be picked up for as little as £100,000 providing strong foundations for a profitable future either in finance or on the pitch.
Notable clubs: Breiðablik, Stjarnan
Average price: £100,000 – £300,000
4) Serbia
Any hardcore player of Football Manager who enjoys a European save will have already discovered the huge potential of Serbian football but it remains an untapped hotspot for many.
The big two Belgrade clubs are the main source of wonderkid regens in the league, however, it is also worth checking the likes of FK Vojvodina and FK Čukarički for gems.
Red Star and Partizan regularly qualify for Europe and will provide huge game time for these regens alongside helping them break into the national team where they can be easily scouted.
The prices you will be paying in Serbia are similar to those in Denmark but plenty of bargains exist outside of big two clubs.
Notable clubs: Red Star Belgrade, Partizan Belgrade
Average price: £3 million – £6.5 million
5) Ukraine
European football has been a regular fixture for Ukraine’s top clubs, despite the hardships of recent years following the Russian invasion in 2022.
Shakhtar remain the dominant force in Ukrainian football and have provided the country with plenty of young talent that now feature in the national team.
Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv have both taken home European trophies in past years and both rank as the top two for youth rating in the nation, a strong 18/20.
Whilst you will be paying a premium fee for the services of a Ukrainian regen wonderkid, the talent on offer across the country will provide the ability to push your club to Champions League glory.
Notable clubs: FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv
Average price: £9 million – £18 million
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